EXCLUSIVE: Ashley Cole takes a HUGE pay-cut to join Roma from Chelsea

CASHLEY: Ashley Cole has taken a huge drop in wages to join the Italian giants [GETTY]

The former Chelsea and England left-back has agreed a two-year deal - with an option for an extra 12 months - for just under £40,000-a-week after tax, compared to the £100,000-a-week he was on at Stamford Bridge.

The 33-year-old, who attracted interest from Liverpool, Monaco and MLS clubs, was mobbed at the airport when he flew in and the club's official Twitter account posted a picture of him at the airport entitled 'Welcome to Rome, Ashley!'

The Italians were able to offer Cole Champions League football, but they do have problems with right wing fans, the most recent incident in May 2013 seeing AC Milan's Mario Balotelli one of three players targeted for racist abuse by Roma fans.